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Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

I believe as do others that the problems with the Pacer support stem from the abundance of other basketball options that provide (in many people's minds) a better basketball experience for the money. An NBA team in Indiana is very much like selling ice to eskimos or bringing coals to Newcastle - they'd better be really SPECIAL ice cubes or very HOT coals.

Soccer, on the other hand, grows in popularity because it is becoming THE sport for young children to learn. My kids never played it, but my grandkids are all involved in one way or another. The kids of my younger co-workers are also very involved, in the same way I was involved in football and basketball.

Add to that the large Latino population in Indy (have you driven past the parks on W Washington on Sunday afternoon and seen the crowds there?), I think there is a very good chance that a reasonably-sized and sited stadium can make an extremely successful MLS team.

Contrary opinions are fine, but let's keep this thread to SPECIFICS and not "oh, it bores me, I don't care so no one else should either"

I think saying soccer bores me is a legitimate comment. I never said anything like "I don't care so no one else should either." I don't give a rats behind what anyone else cares about. I have just observed Indianapolis apathy for half a century or so. Please quote me correctly. I get myself in plenty of trouble without adding things I did not say.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

So happy for you guys in Indy getting a team. I followed AC St. Louis the one year they were in the NASL (2010) but that flamed out in such a bad way, I've been looking for a 'local' team to follow ever since. I've never been a Chicago Fire fan (it's against my religion to pull for a Chicago based sports team) and I've really enjoyed following Sporting KC (I really want to see a game at their stadium, looks outstanding), but distance makes it hard in that case.

The NASL is a good league and there are teams with great support. You look at all of those Pacific Northwest teams and even the Montreal Impact, and they were all in the USL/NASL/D2 leagues at some point. They built their fan bases and so when it came time to make the jump to MLS, they were ready, and most of those teams haven't skipped a beat.

I think the supporters culture that they've infused the league with has really helped it's appeal. I know that's always been around, and there have been a few places in MLS that have always had great fans (DC being one of them), but it really legitimizes a league when you turn on and see seats filled with screaming/singing fans. 10 years ago, most MLS games were being played in empty, massive football stadiums.

Honestly, I really didn't know Indy was that big of a soccer city until the buildup of this announcement. But from what I can tell, the city/state's love for soccer is no joke. I will probably try to catch a game or two if I can. I know a few years ago, all NASL games were streamed online for free. Not sure if that's still in affect or not, though.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

It hasn't been discussed enough, but the management staff is lead by an absolute soccer superstar in Peter Wilt, this would be like a new team in the NBA hiring the GM of the Spurs to build their franchise. Peter is the guy who built the Chicago Fire from the ground up when they first joined the MLS and they won the title in either their first or second year. The guy 100% knows soccer. There is no doubt in my mind we will be a very good team very soon.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

Honestly, I really didn't know Indy was that big of a soccer city until the buildup of this announcement. But from what I can tell, the city/state's love for soccer is no joke. I will probably try to catch a game or two if I can. I know a few years ago, all NASL games were streamed online for free. Not sure if that's still in affect or not, though.

It is mostly the younger generation that loves soccer. Obviously basketball and football are number one and two, but it is probably on par with baseball if not more popular.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

I'm excited for this. I hope Indy can develop the crazy fan atmosphere. Going across the pond and seeing a Man U/Arsenal/Rael Madrid/Chelsea game is something I really want to experience. It's right up there on my sports bucket list right next to going to Cameron Indoor.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

I'm excited for this. I hope Indy can develop the crazy fan atmosphere. Going across the pond and seeing a Man U/Arsenal/Rael Madrid/Chelsea game is something I really want to experience. It's right up there on my sports bucket list right next to going to Cameron Indoor.

I can honestly say it's one of the most overrated venues I've ever been in.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

I'd like to see a game at Phog, Chapel Hill, and Pauley Pavillion since that's where Reggie played. I'd also love to see the new KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, which is about 15 minutes from where I grew up. I can't believe I still haven't been inside that building.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

NBA basketball is definitely inferior in popularity to NCAA basketball in Indiana, but it's still basketball, a sport that is way more popular than soccer. The NBA routinely brings athletes into Indianapolis who are household names. Soccer wouldn't. I'm just not convinced that soccer could be sustainable long term when our NBA team has struggled. Will there be initial excitement? Of course. But it won't be new forever. Five years in, the newness will be worn off.

It's fine if a soccer team wants to move here, but I don't think taxpayers should be on the hook for a venue.

You have to look at tin numbers. If the Pacers average 11000 that is bad in nba terms. If the soccer team averages 11000 wouldn't that be a success?

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

The atmosphere or the building itself? I've heard that the building is a dump, and I know it only holds like 10,000. But that's part of the magic for me.

Both really. The atmosphere was great but it wasn't anything totally out of the oridinary for major college basketball. For instance, the atomsphere at a big game in Assembly Hall is at least just as good. Of course, that building is an even bigger dump than Cameron.

Purely as far as the building is concerned, I'd take a game at Hinkle over a game at Cameron any day.

If you do go to Cameron, and it isn't for the Carolina game, try to schedule it on a day when you can go to both Cameron and the Dean Dome as a day/night double header.

I would like to go the Phog and Lexington one day. But this is better for another thread.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

Both really. The atmosphere was great but it wasn't anything totally out of the oridinary for major college basketball. For instance, the atomsphere at a big game in Assembly Hall is at least just as good. Of course, that building is an even bigger dump than Cameron.

Yeah, but it's OUR dump!

(At least they added hand rails to the balcony now, so you feel like at least you might have a shot of saving your self from a terrible death plunge if you trip)

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

Basketball is actually a lot more popular globally than most people realize.

It may be but certainly not even close to soccer's dominance. I firmly believe though that is the second most played sport in the world in all levels.

I know that (most ?) Americans may not like soccer and I completely get it cause they grew up watching and playing football, basketball or baseball (yikes ). It's like coming to most countries outside US and promoting the NFL. They will look at you with a confused expression on their face.
Pleased though to read the appeal it has to the younger generation and you know that means it builds a strong fanbase for the years to come. Believe me when I say, it's a beautiful sport.

Here is hoping you'll get an MLS team. As far as the name is concerned, just choose the 'Indianapolis AC' option. Reminds me of AC Milan. Do it. The other names are horrendous except for the Indianapolis United but I hate Man Utd so there you go.LOL.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

In the UK you would be a 2nd division regional team the top 2 leagues (premier and first) average 25 thousand

I'd say those numbers are right around the bottom of the nPower leagues. I follow Scunthorpe pretty closely(they signed an American recently, but that's not why I'm a fan) and their attendances average about half that number. That's probably because we've been absolute ****, even for a league one team.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

Nothing like soccer. There is a huge stadium in Rio that fills regularly for soccer. Bigger than anything we have for football....

The Estadio de Maracana seats 82,000 people. It's being renovated for the World Cup and will lose 3000-4000 seats but regardless, there are at least 16 football stadiums in America that hold more. But thank you for your brilliant insight into the game of soccer. You have truly enlightened us all.

Re: Indiana Pro Soccer Team

The Estadio de Maracana seats 82,000 people. It's being renovated for the World Cup and will lose 3000-4000 seats but regardless, there are at least 16 football stadiums in America that hold more. But thank you for your brilliant insight into the game of soccer. You have truly enlightened us all.

You may be right. I saw it and I was told it seated 250,000 for soccer.....